Ju Ju - W. Shorter

modale wrote:

The chromatic harmonica is a little-known instrument, especially at the Conservatory level.

I propose to you a listening of this piece arranged by me and played on the chromatic harmonica.

Wow, how talented... very true, it is an instrument that can phrase as well as a trumpet.... it seemed to me a bit more considered in the '60s/'70s. A pity.. maybe we'll get an Italian Toots..

I tried playing the harmonica half a time. Difficult !!!
Beautiful piece, with a Jazz style. Compliments Giuseppe.

modale wrote:

Chromatic harmony is a little-known instrument, especially at the Conservatory level.

I don't know if you are referring to Jazz music departments ... but composers know well how to use it; perhaps they don't use it "raw and naked" today in their pieces because it dates back to the first half of the 1900s and we are in 2017.

The harmony of the first half of the 20th century is a subject of study

Well, Toots didn't just have an edge over all the other chromatic harmonica players, he had at least four more, and I'm not talking about technical ability, which is remarkable nonetheless, because there are others at the same level; rather, I am talking about his improvisational melodic line, which is incomparable; he knew how to fully exploit all the expressive nuances of the instrument.

Of course, composers know well how to use it, look at E. Morricone, look at P. Daniele, but in terms of teaching in Conservatories, apart from S. Cecilia in Rome, it doesn't seem to me that there are others, and yet it is an instrument with four complete octaves; besides, the accordion suffered a similar fate for a long time.

In effect, it is not an easy instrument to play, I am still referring to the chromatic harmonica. Just think that in 12 centimeters there are three octaves, that is 36 notes, so one every three millimeters! Only the sensitivity of the mouth and lips can afford such a luxury.

Sorry Modale, I was mistaken. Yes, you are right, composers do not always measure themselves with instruments like the guitar, the accordion, the viola d'amore, etc.